History of the British Psychological Society Timeline 1901 to 2009 1901 24 October 1901, ten people meet at University College, London at 1904 the invitation of Professor James Sully, Grote Professor of Mind and W.G. Smith becomes Treasurer. Charles S. Myers becomes Logic at University College, to form a psychological society on the Secretary. same lines as those followed by the Physiological Society. (Edgell, B. The Society creates Fellowships. (1947) British Journal of Psychology, Vol.37). A committee consisting of Sully, Bryant, McDougall, Mott and Shand 1906 is elected. The newly formed Committee draws up rules. Shand is Members decide on a change of name from ‘The Psychological appointed Treasurer and Secretary (Officer). Subscription is fixed at Society’ to ‘The British Psychological Society’. half-a-guinea (10s 6d, or decimal 52.5 pence). Membership is restricted to recognised teachers in some branch of psychology or 1908 who have published work of recognised value. Membership of the Society stands at 54 (BPS minutes). 1902 1912 By the end of the year (1902), six meetings of the Society are held. Membership of the Society stands at 71 (BPS minutes). Membership of the Society numbers 13. © 2009 The British Psychological Society 1914 1922 The Society acquires the British Journal of Psychology (Editor C.S. The British Journal of Psychology – Medical Section is renamed Myers) created, in 1904, by James Ward and W.H.R. Rivers. British Journal of Medical Psychology (first 14 volumes (1922–1934) Subscription rate to the Society increases from half-a-guinea to a Editor T.W. Mitchell). guinea (£1 1s 0d, or decimal £1.05). A fourth Section of the Society, Aesthetics Section is formed. 1918 1923 Membership of the Society stands at 98 (BPS minutes). Membership of the Aesthetics Section of the Society stands at 58. 1919 1924 In February 1919 a change in the Society's constitution is made and The Society forms its first Branches, one in Scotland and one in three specialist sections are established in the fields of Medicine, Birmingham. Education and Industry. F.C. Bartlett succeeds C.S. Myers as Editor of the British Journal of Dr C.S. Myers’ proposal that anyone merely 'interested in psychology' Psychology. (not just recognised scholars or teachers) should be allowed to join is accepted. 1925 The Executive Committee is replaced by a Council and the office of Membership of the Birmingham Branch of the Society stands at 59 President is established. Dr C.S. Myers is elected the Society’s first (BPS minutes). President; Clifford Sully is elected as the Society's first Librarian Membership of the Scottish Branch of the Society stands at 58 (BPS (Honorary). minutes). Membership of the Society stands at 427 (BPS minutes) 1926 1920 The Society (and its large library) joins with the Royal The Society first publishes the British Journal of Psychology – Anthropological Institute to occupy part of its premises at 52 Upper Medical Section. Bedford Place, London. Membership of the Society stands at 716 (BPS minutes). 1921 Membership of the Society stands at 700 (AGM, Spearman). © 2009 The British Psychological Society 1927 meeting in Manchester on 21 October 1933. Membership of the Industrial Section (of the Society) stands at 49 Membership of the Society stands at 677 (BPS minutes). (BPS Mins). Membership of the Birmingham Branch of the Society stands at 48 1936 (BPS Mins). Membership of the Society stands at 750 (BPS minutes). Membership of the Scottish Branch of the Society stands at 73 (BPS 1939 Mins). Upon outbreak of war the Society’s library collection is moved to the Membership of the Society stands at 717 (BPS Mins). University of Nottingham. 1928 1940 Membership of the Industrial Section stands at 44 (BPS minutes). A fifth section of the Society is added, the Social Psychology Section. Membership of the Scottish Branch of the Society stands at 75 (BPS minutes). 1941 The Society is incorporated under the Companies Act 1929 1930 (October). The Society first publishes the British Journal of Educational The Society moves to the BMA building at Tavistock House South, Psychology. St. Pancras, London. The Society compiles a (voluntary) register of professional Membership of the Society stands at 811 (BPS Annual Report). psychologists. The Society publishes a Register of Members. 1942 Membership of the Society stands at 844 (BPS Annual Report). 1932 In November the Society joins with the Aristotelian Society in taking 1943 accommodation at 55 Russell Square, London. A committee of the Council concerned with professional conduct is formed: the Committee of Professional Psychologists (Mental 1933 Health). The Society changes the name of its Birmingham Branch to Midland Membership of the Society stands at 908 (BPS Annual Report). Branch. The Northern Branch of the Society is formed and holds its first © 2009 The British Psychological Society 1944 Membership of the Society stands at 1663 (BPS Annual Report). An Australian Branch of the British Psychological Society is formed (October). 1949 Membership of the Society stands at 1007 (BPS Annual Report). The collection of test material shown at the International Congress of Mental Health is to be housed at the Society’s Tavistock House 1945 office. These tests are to form the basis of the Society’s permanent Membership of the Society stands at 1164 (BPS Annual Report). test collection. Membership of the Society stands at 1777 (BPS Annual Report). 1946 April 1946 A fire destroys the Society's office in Tavistock House 1950 resulting in the loss of an unknown quantity of Society records The Committee on the Training of Psychologists is appointed. (including Council minutes) (Standing Committee Report, 14 May A sub-committee of the Council of the Society was set up to collect 1946). information about the numerous organisations now operating in the The Society’s library brought back from the University of Nottingham psychological field in Great Britain. to Senate House Library, London. Membership of the Society stands at 1897 (BPS Annual Report). Membership of the Society stands at 1218 (BPS Annual Report). 1951 1947 The Society appoints a Curator of the Collection of Test Materials. The Child Study Society is incorporated into the Society’s Education The Appointments Memorandum is instituted. ). Section (min.944 BPS Council meeting 8 November 1947 The Committee on the Training of Psychologists is re-appointed. The British Journal of Statistical Psychology is founded. The Society becomes a founder member of the International Union The New Zealand Branch of the British Psychological Society is of Psychological Science. formed (May). Membership of the Society stands at 2011 (BPS Annual Report). Membership of the Society stands at 1445 (BPS Annual Report). 1952 1948 At an EGM of the Society’s Council a modification to the by-laws is The Quarterly Bulletin of the British Psychological Society is approved and at the next Council meeting a new appointment of launched. Editor is Frederick Laws, a journalist with the News Deputy General Secretary (of the Society) is made. Chronicle. Membership of the Society stands at 2188 (BPS Annual Report). © 2009 The British Psychological Society 1953 Membership of the Society stands at 2345 (BPS Annual Report). The Society sets up an ad hoc Publications Committee. 1956 Articles and By-Laws Committee is appointed. Public Relations Committee re-appointed. Membership of the Society stands at 2208 (BPS Annual Report). 1954 North-East of England Branch (of the Society) is formed. The Charter Committee prepares the first draft of an ethical code or On the recommendation of the Public Relations Committee, Council statement on the Standards of Professional Conduct of the British appoints Jack Kenna as the Society’s first Archivist (Honorary). Psychological Society. Committee of Inquiry into the background of the difficulties with the The Charter Committee begins work on the compilation of a Medical Section (and to make recommendations) is appointed by directory of psychologists. Council. Membership of the Society stands at 2293 (BPS Annual Report). The principle that there should be Divisions as a new form of organisation in the Society is approved at the AGM in Manchester. 1955 Membership of the Society stands at 2444 (BPS Annual Report). Council sets up a working party to collect evidence for the Royal Commission on the Law Relating to Mental Illness and Mental 1957 Deficiency. Revision of the Society’s Articles of Association and By-Laws is Council accepts a suggestion by the Articles and By-Laws Committee completed. that the present Committee of Professional Psychologists (Mental By-Laws on Divisions in the Society are approved at the AGM. Health) should become a panel or group, under an association or Division of Professional Psychologists of the British Psychological Council adopts the Committee of Past Presidents recommendation Society. that a Standing Ethical Committee is set up to draw up revised rules of professional conduct for eventual inclusion in the By-Laws. South West of England Branch is inaugurated. Membership of the Society stands at 2461 (BPS Annual Report). Welsh Branch (of the Society) is inaugurated. Northern Ireland Branch (of the Society) is inaugurated. 1958 BPS Public Relations Committee set up (after AGM resolution). Standing Ethical Committee (based on the recommendation of the Committee of Past Presidents) is appointed. BPS Publications Committee takes over from the ad hoc Publications Committee. Standing Committee on Test Standards is appointed. Working Party on Consumer Research is set up by Council. © 2009 The British Psychological Society Article and By-Laws Committee is reappointed to advise on Oversea The Society is asked to cooperate with the International Union of Branch, Branch, Section and Division rules. Scientific Psychology in the production of a revised edition of the Committee of Professional Psychologists (Mental Health) is International Directory of Psychologists. superseded by two separate Divisions in England and Wales and in The Society’s legal advisers prepare the Petition for Royal Charter, Scotland to carry on its functions.